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October 2014

Get ready, Victoria. The MEC Snowfest Victoria is returning this November 30th. It’s a free event hosted by MEC Victoria for the fourth year in a row. The event is to celebrate all things snow to include vendors, local community groups and clubs. Check out their video presentations, prize draws, snow crafts, giveaway, information clinics and more. Here is what the MEC Snowfest Victoria is all about.

What to Expect

The event is a one-day event to feature:

Information clinics

Video presentations

Giveaways and prize draws

Face painting and snow crafts for kids

Vendors to speak to

Community groups and clubs to discuss snow sports

Exhibitors expected this year include the Canadian Parks & Wilderness Society, Outdoor Nation, Mountain

Victoria’s real estate market is making a comeback. Sales have risen 12% since 2013 and the listing inventory has decreased. Instead of having a high inventory, Victoria is seeing a balanced market. For a change, Victoria is no longer in a seller’s market.

The panic and rush has diminished for now. The real estate market is not going to remain like this forever, so buyers and sellers should take advantage of these limited time conditions. Here is a look at Victoria’s real estate market.

The Shift

Listing inventory has gone down about 7% although there are still 4,200 listings for buyers to choose from. The time to buy and sell has stabilized since the area experienced being a seller’s market in 2008. In a stabilized market as this, details of the

Victoria is full of great attractions, shops, restaurants and places to enjoy a little entertainment. No matter what you enjoy, you can find it throughout the city. Here are some of the top choices for your entertainment and leisure needs.

Best Tourists Attractions

Sometimes, when family or friends come in from out of town, you want to take them to the places most popular for tourists. If this is the case, three places come to mind:

Butchart Gardens

Dallas Road

Inner Harbour

Between these three attractions, you should be able to fill an entire weekend. If you need a couple other choices, you can throw in The Fairmont Empress and Beacon Hill Park.

Stop for Afternoon Tea

The Gluten Free Gala is coming to Victoria. This event is a way to bring Vancouver together to celebrate a Gluten Free lifestyle. There will be Gluten free businesses, associations, services and restaurants gathered together for the event. With the rise in gluten intolerance, gluten free diets have become a healthy way to live for many. Here is what to expect at this gluten free celebration.

Tickets

To attend, bring a gluten free non-perishable food item for the Mustard Seed and in return you’ll get a ballot for the raffles. Tickets cost $8 to attend.

Your ticket will include:

Show admission for Saturday or Sunday depending which day you purchase

The third annual Victoria Writer’s Festival is coming to Victoria this fall. On November 6th, 7th, and 8th you can enjoy literary workshops, gala readings, panel discussions and video poem screenings. Featured writers will include Nancy Lee, Don McKay, Darrell Dennis and Bill Gaston.

What to Expect

Writers to be featured at the festival include:

Leanne Betasamosake Simpson

Anne-Marie Turza

Darrell Dennis

Don McKay

Jane Silcott

Bill Gaston

Tilar Mazzeo

Shani Mootoo

Ali Blythe

Jordan Abel

Polly Horvath

Jarrett Martineau

Julie Paul

Nancy Lee

Karen Enns

David James Brock

Kevin Kerr

Kit Pearson

Terry Ann Carter

Betsy Warland

The festival is being hosted by Anne Giardini, John Gould, Joan MacLeod, Jack Knox and

Did you know Victoria is full of haunted areas? This is the time of year to enjoy spooky and haunted places because it’s Halloween time. From parks to buildings, check out these areas in Victoria to celebrate the spooky season.

Hatley Castle

Hatley Castle is located at 2005 Sooke Road in Victoria. It’s a national historic site full of beautiful gardens and amazing scenery. It’s 565 acre Edwardian estate and is believed to be haunted by the ghost of the former owners, the Dunsmuir family.

Rogers Chocolates - 913 Government Street

Located in Old Town, you can find National Historic Site Rogers Chocolates. It’s a haunted chocolate shop haunted by ghosts Charles and Leah Rogers. They were the founders of this oldest and most famous shop. They often

The Saanich Peninsula is known for many local eateries serving dishes made from fresh, locally-grown ingredients. Foodies and wine lover will enjoy this area because of all the great places to grab a great meal with the perfect glass of wine. You can get to the Saanich Peninsula by bus, bike or car without much issue. Once you arrive, here are a few great places to grab a bite to eat.

Fireside Grill

Found just 15 minutes from downtown, this is one of the local favourites. The menu provides many unique choices with both local and international flavours. If you're looking for a great place for lunch, there are plenty of options on the menu including scallop pakoras, the gorgonzola burger, salmon pizza and more. Dinner is another great option here with

Fall is here and Halloween is around the corner. There are so many great things to do in celebration of the season. Enjoy the haunted events, pumpkin events, and beautiful fall scenery at this year’s events in Victoria.

Festival of Fear at Galey Farms - 4150 Blenkinsop Road

On October 16th through October 31st, take the family over to Galey Farms for Festival of Fear. Each day it will last from 6pm-10pm and it’s an all ages event. Adults will love the Carnevil Haunted House, while kids will enjoy the Haunted House for kids. The Cornfield of Horror, Madame Isabella’s Séance, and Crazy Train will all be featured.

The Gulf Islands offer so many recreational and nature-filled activities to those that visit. You will love fishing, cycling, and kayaking while you’re there. The Gulf Islands are divided into various islands including Salt Spring Island, Galiano Island, Saturna Island, and more. Here is what you can expect to enjoy in the Gulf Island area.

Mayne Island

When you arrive to Mayne Island, you will love the town centre at Miners Bay that includes a bakery and restaurants. You’ll want to rent a bike because it’s a big cycling area due to the beautiful countryside with old farms and waters around the island. You’ll see bald eagles, otters, sea lions, and seals at Belle Chain Islets.